Wastebasket with adjoining storage compartment

ABSTRACT

A wastebasket assembly has two compartments including a first receptacle adapted to contain refuse and a second receptacle that forms a storage compartment. The second receptacle is connected to the first and is adapted to contain one or more toilet accessories, such as a toilet brush.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/356,530 which was filed on Feb. 13, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to wastebaskets, and more particularly to acombination wastebasket and storage compartment to facilitate storage ofuseful articles near the wastebasket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Wastebaskets are known in the art. A typical wastebasket issimply a basket with upstanding sidewalls, configured in cross sectionin either a curved or polygonal shape, a bottom, and an open top. A userwill often place a trash bag liner inside the wastebasket to facilitategathering and disposal of the trash once the wastebasket is full.

[0004] There have been many attempts to improve on the basic design toincrease the user-friendliness of the wastebasket. It is known in arecycling wastebasket to place receptacles under a wastebasket tofacilitate the convenient sorting and accommodation of items to bediscarded. This aids the user to automatically sort the garbage from therecyclables before discarding either. It is further known to partition awastebasket into two or more side by side compartments, to facilitatethe separation of regular garbage from that which may be recycled.However, none of these wastebaskets have a provision for the storage ofany items other than recyclable material to be discarded.

[0005] It is also known to provide a container for a toilet brush.Several proposals have been made to provide a storage apparatus for aplurality of toilet accessories, many including a toilet brush.According to one proposal, the storage apparatus is characterized by acentral housing enclosing a storage compartment for several rolls oftoilet paper flanked on opposite sides by compartments for storingseveral bars of soap on one side and for storing a toilet bowl brush onthe other. A drain cleaning plunger may be concealed within the centralstorage housing. In another example, a toilet accessory kit is providedwhich includes a holder with two compartments for holding a toilet brushand a toilet plunger, respectively. A divider extends across the holderto separate the compartments from one another, and a handle extends fromthe divider for lifting and carrying the holder. A third exampleconsists of a three piece storage unit, wherein there is included abase, a hollow middle cylinder, and a top cover. The middle cylinder isadapted to house a number of toilet accessories including a toiletbrush, a spray can, and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 depicts one example of a wastebasket constructed inaccordance with the teachings of the invention.

[0007]FIG. 2 depicts a section view of the wastebasket of FIG. 1 takenalong section line 2-2.

[0008]FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view of the first example shown in FIG.1.

[0009]FIG. 4 depicts a second example of a wastebasket constructed inaccordance with the teachings of the invention.

[0010]FIG. 5 depicts a section view of the wastebasket of FIG. 4 takenalong section line 5-5.

[0011]FIG. 6 depicts a third example of a wastebasket constructed inaccordance with the teachings of the invention.

[0012]FIG. 7 depicts a section view of the wastebasket of FIG. 6 takenalong section line 7-7.

[0013]FIG. 8 depicts a fourth example of a wastebasket constructed inaccordance with the teachings of the invention.

[0014]FIG. 9 depicts a section view of the wastebasket of FIG. 8 takenalong section line 9-9.

[0015]FIG. 10 depicts an isometric view of the wastebasket of FIG. 1 andincluding a toilet bowl brush stored therein.

[0016]FIG. 11 depicts an isometric view of the wastebasket of FIG. 4 andincluding a toilet bowl brush stored therein.

[0017]FIG. 12 depicts an isometric view of the wastebasket of FIG. 6 andincluding a toilet bowl brush stored therein.

[0018]FIG. 13 depicts an isometric view of the wastebasket of FIG. 8 andincluding a toilet bowl brush stored therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The prior art does not disclose or address the desirability ofcombining a wastebasket with a toilet accessory container. In each ofthe prior art toilet accessory containers, the advantages of keeping theaccessories together, and within reach of the toilet, is described.However, it is still necessary and usual to place a trash receptaclenear the toilet. Thus, in each of the prior art methods, it is necessaryto not only keep the disclosed accessory container, but also a secondarticle—the trash receptacle—near the toilet. This is undesirablebecause the two separate articels may be unsightly and take up too muchfloor space.

[0020] In even the most basic washrooms, there is a need for a minimumof a wastebasket and a toilet brush. The present disclosure is directedto a combination wastebasket and secondary receptacle for storage ofarticles including, for example, a toilet brush.

[0021] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a firstexample of the wastebasket assembly 10. The assembly 10 has a wastereceptacle 12 and a secondary receptacle 22. The waste receptacle 12 canbe used with or without a liner bag (not shown). The waste receptacle12, in one example, has a conventional cup-shaped configurationincluding a bottom 11, contiguous sides 13, which may be cylindrical, asshown in FIG. 1, or any other shape, and an open top 18. Other shapesand configuration of the sides 13 and bottom 11 can be used, as will beshown in other examples. In one example not shown, the contiguous sides13 are substantially planar. The waste receptacle can have a rectangularcross section, triangular cross section, or any other cross section.

[0022] The secondary receptacle 22, in the present example, is disposeddirectly beneath the waste receptacle 12, and is adapted to be a base onwhich the waste receptacle 12 sits. The secondary receptacle 22 caninclude non-skid pads 15 on which the assembly 10 sits. The secondaryreceptacle 22 can be different that the example illustrated in FIG. 1.In the example of FIG. 2, the secondary receptacle 22 is generallycylindrical with a top cover 26. In this example, the bottom of thesecondary receptacle 22 is open to facilitate molding. Depending on theconfiguration of the secondary receptacle 22 and to further facilitatemolding, the top cover 26 can be integrally molded with the secondaryreceptacle, or can be a removable piece that either snaps into place, iswelded to the receptacle, or is attached by any other method known inthe art. Furthermore, a bottom cover (not shown) may be used. This maybe integrally or removably attached like the top cover, as in otherdisclosed examples.

[0023] The secondary receptacle 22 further includes a receiver 17. Thereceiver 17 is designed to accommodate inserting or removing at least apart of a toilet brush 16 in the present example, and defines a storagecompartment 14. The receiver 17 further comprises interior side walls 25and a rear wall 27. The receiver 17 fully supports the brush 16, suchthat the brush handle 21 is easily accessible by the user. The crosssection of interior side walls can be any shape that supports a brush16, such as circular, elliptical, rectangular, etc. The receiver 17 andthe secondary receptacle 22 can either be molded as a unitary piece, oras two pieces that are then fastened together.

[0024] In further embodiments, the receiver might not have a rear wall27. That is, the receiver 17 would simply be an interior tube defined byinterior side walls 25. In another embodiment, the receiver might simplybe a hole in the side of the secondary receptacle 22. In either case,the storage compartment 14 can be the entire interior cavity of thesecondary receptacle 22 and can serve to support the brush 16.Furthermore, venting may be added to the side walls 25 and/or the rearwall 27 to aid in the evaporation of moisture.

[0025] The toilet brush 16 is comprised of a brush head 20 and a brushhandle 21. The handle 21 can be designed so that it becomes oriented ina desired manner after the brush head 20 is inserted into the receiver17. In the present example, the brush handle 21 is held in an uprightposition, with the handle 21 extending slightly away from a wall 13 ofthe waste receptacle 12. In another example, which is not shown, thehandle 21 may be against the wall 13, or further, a snap-in feature maybe designed on the wall 13 such that the handle 21 snaps into acomplimentary portion or recessed portion of the wall 13. In a stillfurther example, the handle 21 does not have to be held upright at all.In certain situations, it might be preferable for the handle to bedisposed at an angle to the upright position, left, right, or back, oreven laying on its side.

[0026] The waste receptacle 12 and the secondary receptacle 22 can beattached by any suitable means. In the present example, the receptacle12 and secondary receptacle 22 are detachably connected by aninterference ‘snap-in’ fit. This can best be seen in FIG. 3. In furtherexamples, the waste receptacle 12 could be threaded at its base, withthe secondary receptacle 22 having complementary internal threads.Detaching the waste receptacle 12 from the secondary receptacle 22facilitates emptying of the waste receptacle 12, as the user need liftonly the waste receptacle 12 to easily empty it. Conversely, it may alsobe advantageous for some applications to have the waste receptacle 12and the secondary receptacle 22 either permanently attached ormanufactured as one unitary piece for ease of manufacture and costeffectiveness.

[0027] The waste receptacle 12 can further include a pair of handles 24.The handles 24 are both useful aesthetically and for grasping thewastebasket assembly 10. This aids the user when he or she removes thewaste receptacle 12 from the secondary receptacle 22, and when the userdumps the contents out of the waste receptacle 12.

[0028]FIG. 3 depicts the wastebasket assembly 10 in an exploded view.Here, the waste receptacle 12 is detached from the secondary receptacle22 The receptacle 12 and the secondary receptacle 22 have complementarylips 31 and 32 which are snap fit together to detachably connect thereceptacles.

[0029] The secondary receptacle 22 may further include a door (notshown) instead of or in addition to an opening which allows access tothe storage compartment 14. The compartment 14 may store any number ofarticles, including but not limited to bathroom accessories such assponges, soap, toilet paper, magazines and the like. Because theassembly may be placed near a toilet, it is possible that the end usermay store articles related to either use of or cleaning of the toiletitself. However, the user may use the secondary receptacle 22 to storeany article, which may be completely unrelated to the toilet, such asant poison or contact lens solution. If the user decides to place thewastebasket assembly 10 in a different location, such as a bedroom, theuser may place other items in the compartment, such as children's books,toys, and the like.

[0030] The wastebasket assembly 10 may be manufactured out of anysuitable material such as metal, wood, or molded plastic, for example.By manufacturing the assembly 10 in any of several ways, such asinjection molding, the waste receptacle 12 can be made impervious towater, thus ensuring that none of the contents of the waste receptacle12 seep into the secondary receptacle 22.

[0031]FIGS. 4 and 5 disclose a second example of a waste basket assembly40. As previously mentioned, it is clear that assembly 40 can take manydifferent shapes and sizes and still be within the scope of theinvention. The assembly comprises a waste receptacle 42 and a secondaryreceptacle 44 that can be snap fit together as previously disclosed, orby any other method known in the art. The assembly 40 is in a stylishrounded or spheroidal configuration, with a plurality of support feet41. A receiver 47 in this example protrudes from a secondary receptacle44 and defines a storage compartment 54. The receiver 47 comprisesexternal side walls 43, interior side walls 49 extending from andcontiguous with the external side walls 43 and a back wall 45. Theexternal side walls 43 protrude from the secondary receptacle 44 anddefine an opening 48 of the storage compartment 54. In this example, theopening 48 is approximately perpendicular to the ground. The externalside walls 43 aid in supporting a toilet brush 46 and help to guide thetoilet brush 46 into the storage compartment 54 of the receiver 47.

[0032]FIGS. 6 and 7 depict a third example of a wastebasket assembly 60.The assembly 60 includes a secondary receptacle 61 and a wastereceptacle 62. The secondary receptacle 61, positioned under a wastereceptacle 62, can be fastened to the waste receptacle 62 via a snap fitas previously disclosed and shown in the figures, or any otherreleaseable means. The secondary receptacle also includes a receiver 67,which defines a storage compartment 64, into which a toilet brush (notshown) may be inserted. In this example, the receiver 67 also comprisesan interior piece 65, and an exterior piece 63 that defines a mouth 68of the storage compartment 64. However, in contrast to the previousexample, in this example the mouth 68 opens upward, such that the mouth68 is generally parallel to the ground. This makes the exterior piece 63somewhat in the shape of a bowl, as can be seen in FIG. 6. Thus, insteadof inserting a toilet brush into the storage compartment 64 from theside as in previous examples, it is first placed in the receiver 67 fromthe top downward.

[0033] In the illustrated example, the interior piece 65 of the receiver67 extends into the secondary receptacle 61 and forms the storagecompartment 64. However, it is possible that no interior piece 65exists, and that the entire receiver 67 is comprised of an exteriorpiece 63 in the shape of a dish. Thus, in such an example, when thetoilet brush is placed in the receiver 67, the entire storagecompartment and toilet brush would be outside of the secondaryreceptacle 64.

[0034]FIGS. 8 and 9 depict a fourth example of a wastebasket assembly 80that also comprises a waste receptacle 82 and a secondary receptacle 84.The assembly 80 further includes a receiver 87 to receive a toilet brush(not shown). In the previous embodiments, the toilet brush is designedto be complementary to the receiver and the storage compartment. Thatis, the toilet brush is designed for a specific fit and support from thereceiver. However, in this example, receiver 87 is comparatively muchlarger than those disclosed in previous embodiments. This creates a moregeneric opening 88 and receiver 87, so that a wide range of toiletbrushes may be supported by the receiver 87. Thus, the user is notlimited to a toilet brush that he or she purchased with the wastebasketassembly 80, as might be more suitable in one or more of the previousexamples. If the brush wears out, he or she can replace it with any of awide range of brushes.

[0035] In a further example of the invention (not shown), the wastereceptacle is liquid-tight, and can be used to house a liquid, such assoapy water. In this example the wastebasket assembly can beadvantageously used as a bucket and a cleaning supply storagecompartment to help in washing and cleaning articles. Again, the storagecompartment adjoins the waste receptacle. Here, however, the storagecompartment may be used to store cleaning items such as a sponge, soap,car polish etc.

[0036] In a further example (not shown) of the wastebasket assembly, thewaste receptacle can be disposed in a side-by-side fashion with thecompartment, and/or vents may be added in the sides of the receiverand/or storage compartment to facilitate the evaporation of moisture onthe brush head.

[0037] The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearnessof understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should beunderstood therefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilledin the art.

We claim:
 1. A wastebasket apparatus comprising: a waste receptacle,including a bottom, an upstanding contiguous side wall adjoining thebottom, and an open top, the waste receptacle adapted to contain refuse;and a secondary receptacle including a storage compartment, thesecondary receptacle adjoining the waste receptacle.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the secondary receptacle is disposed beneath andsupports the waste receptacle.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein thewaste receptacle and the secondary receptacle are detachably connected.4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the waste receptacle and thesecondary receptacle are permanently connected.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the storage compartment is adapted to store a toiletbrush.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the secondary receptaclefurther comprises a receiver at least partially inside the storagecompartment for receiving at least a part of a toilet brush.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 6, the receiver comprising a sidewall, a rear wall,and an access opening into the receiver.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6,wherein the receiver is dimensioned to hold a toilet brush head of thetoilet brush.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the receiver isadapted to maintain the toilet brush in an upright disposition.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein the sidewall is cylindrical.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein a portion of the sidewall extends out fromthe storage compartment.
 12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein thereceiver has a concave shape, and wherein the access opening for thetoilet brush is accessible from the top.
 13. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein the contiguous side wall of the receptacle comprises a cylinder.14. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the contiguous side wall of thewaste receptacle comprises a plurality of planar wall sections.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the contiguous side wall and bottomportion comprise a generally spheroidal section.
 16. A combinationwastebasket comprising: a waste receptacle with a bottom, an upstandingcontiguous side wall, an open top, and being adapted to contain refuse;a secondary receptacle including a toilet brush storage compartment, thesecondary receptacle adjoined to the waste receptacle; and a toiletbrush including a brush head and a handle extending from the brush head,the brush head adapted to be removably received in the storagecompartment, such that when the brush head is placed in the storagecompartment, the toilet brush is supported and the handle is in anupright position.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the contiguousside wall of the receptacle comprises a cylinder.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein the contiguous side wall of the receptacle comprises aplurality of planar wall sections.
 19. The apparatus of claim 16,wherein the contiguous side wall and bottom portion comprise a generallyspheroidal section.
 20. The apparatus of claim 16, the secondaryreceptacle further comprising a receiver at least partially inside thestorage compartment for receiving at least a part of a toilet brush 21The apparatus of claim 20 the receiver comprising a side wall, a rearwall, and an acess opening into the storage compartment.
 22. Anapparatus, comprising: a first container including a base, an upstandingside wall, and an open top, the first container being liquid-tight; anda storage compartment, including an outer shell and an inner cavity, thecompartment being attached beneath the container, and including anaccess opening into the inner cavity.